New Zealand
Encounter Kaikoura sold
Black Cat Cruises has acquired Kaikōura eco-tourism operator Encounter Kaikoura. The acquisition, effective 17 November 2025, brings Encounter Kaikoura’s Dolphin Encounter and Albatross Encounter under the Black Cat Cruises umbrella.
Taupō’s Hole in One Challenge reopens with new additions
Taupō’s Hole in One Challenge has returned to the lakefront after a three-month hiatus. The ball bays opened late last month, the official opening of the café and Ball Blaster is scheduled for 3 December.
Tourism achievers awarded
Rotorua tourism attraction, Te Puia | New Zealand Māori Arts and Craft Institute (NZMACI), has been named the supreme winner of the New Zealand Tourism Awards.
Accor urges trade to take a look at new offerings as business outlook improves
Accor is keen to get corporate, domestic and inbound agents ‘in-hotel’ to sample its latest inventory, including new openings in Fort Street Auckland.
Fares, fees, US shutdown all impacting NZ arrivals
The association representing New Zealand’s inbound travel trade is predicting that the country is still a couple of years away from reaching pre-covid arrival numbers.
New life for WLG hotel
Wellington’s Atura Hotel has become the WQ Hotel (Wellington Quarter Hotel), marking the property’s transformation under Capstone Hotel Management.
Historic take on new AKL tour
Auckland visitors can now see the city from both an entirely new perspective – and an old one, with the launch of Vintage Views.
Auckland joins the TRIBE
TRIBE Auckland Fort Street has opened.
‘Slow stay’ retreat in Tasman
A Michelin Star restaurant chef is set to launch a multimillion-dollar luxury retreat in the Tasman region, introducing a high-end ‘slow stay’ model designed to capture a share of the growing global wellness tourism market.
Scholarship to boost tourism
Pro-invest Group and Auckland University of Technology Foundation (AUT Foundation) have a new partnership designed to remove barriers and create pathways for young New Zealanders pursuing careers in hospitality and tourism.
AKL: Key regions still to reach 2019 figures
The continuing absence of key carriers that served Auckland Airport before covid is one of the factors hampering AKL’s return to 2019 airline capacity.
NZ cruise season underway
New Zealand’s summer cruise season officially opened yesterday with the arrival of Crown Princess into Waitematā Harbour.
South Island for A-Listers
AAT Kings A-Listers had an in-depth on-location incentive trip in the South Island, visiting Queenstown, Franz Josef and Christchurch, between 12 and 16 September.
Turning point for air services
Over the coming New Zealand summer, growth of international air services will accelerate, enabling tourism vital to economic growth and supporting New Zealand’s international trade, according to the Board of Airline Representatives NZ (BARNZ).
Inbound ski, events boost hotels
Horwath HTL’s latest New Zealand Hotel Performance Focus shows that the sector gained some momentum in August.
Skål gets update from NZICC
The wider tourism industry can expect to hear more about the New Zealand International Convention Centre’s (NZICC’s) confirmed line-up of events in late October-early November, attendees at the Skål Auckland lunch heard yesterday.
3C welcomes support for regional air connectivity
Air Chathams has welcomed the New Zealand Government’s announcement of new financial support for regional aviation.
Widening appeal is crucial for destinations’ tourism success
The key for New Zealand’s (and other destinations’) long term tourism and hospitality success is to have a robust mix of business that provides year-round activity and occupancy, according to a Marriott International executive who visited the country recently.
Parehua ramps up trade profile
Wairarapa’s Parehua Resort is concentrating on raising its profile with the international travel trade and promoting its place on the Classic New Zealand Wine Trail.
Sip, Cycle, Soak
After a successful launch this summer, Hawke’s Bay’s Takaro Trails was promoting a package with Napier’s Ocean Spa at the eXplore trade show in Auckland recently.
New at Rotorua's Redwoods
Redwoods Treewalk and Nightlights, Rotorua will open a new eco-experience in September.
The Airstream Project on Lake Rotoiti
Rotorua’s Pure Cruise has diversified its product on Lake Rotoiti. After 16 years exclusively in the luxury market, it now operates four boats catering to FIT, shared experiences, private charters and series tours.
New land and cruise combo in BOP
A new combination tour has been launched by Rotorua’s Ready2Roll Tours and Transfers and Pure Cruise.
Southern Discoveries’ new experiences
Southern Discoveries is expanding its product lineup, led by a new wine tour that marks the company’s re-entry into the Queenstown market.
New hotel brand launches
A new hotel brand - Edit Hotels & Resorts launched yesterday with four properties across New Zealand, designed for value-conscious travellers.
Southern Discoveries enhances app
Southern Discoveries is continuing to update its multi-lingual app with the addition of new GPS-enabled flight commentary.
Industry, govt talk NZ cruise
Cruise leaders and industry stakeholders last week joined New Zealand Tourism and Hospitality Minister, Louise Upston to discuss the direction of New Zealand’s cruise industry, putting a focus on close collaboration to achieve future prosperity.
Mixed results for NZ hotels
The latest data from Hotel Data New Zealand (HDNZ) for March 2025 presents a mixed picture of the country’s hotel industry, according to the latest New Zealand Hotel Performance Focus released by Horwath Ltd.
Regions join forces to boost North American arrivals
Tātaki Auckland Unlimited (TAU) is leading a nationwide tourism initiative to show potential US and Canadian holidaymakers that New Zealand offers diverse experiences year-round.
Eventful time for Invercargill
A big run of events, set to continue through the winter and even into 2026, is helping to keep Invercargill and Southland’s visitor industry buoyant, says Nikki Buckley, corporate sales executive at the Invercargill Licensing Trust.
CHC turns it on for Skål NZ AGM
Christchurch turned on the sunshine and charm for the Skål New Zealand AGM and general assembly, kicking off with 28-degree weather and sunset views from the Christchurch Gondola. The occasion also marked the Christchurch club’s 55th anniversary, featuring toasts and a collection of memorabilia.
Villa portfolio push to inbounders
Luxury accommodation specialist MajorDomo is increasing its profile within the trade and seeing growth in the B2B side of its business, says founder and director Fiona Stevens.
RosePark at trade event
A total refurbishment has put a well-established Auckland hotel back on the map for New Zealand inbound operators.
Message from NZinc: ‘You’re welcome here,’ say inbounders
While some inbound markets remain challenging, the sector overall is optimistic and buoyed by a strong summer, says Tourism Export Council New Zealand chair Scott Mehrtens.
New training course for NZ tourism
Akiaki – Advancing Tourism’s 10th course is now live – rounding out the first set of courses to help upskill New Zealand tourism businesses.
WLG prjects cleared for take off
A successful bond issue by Wellington Airport has seen $125 million raised towards infrastructure upgrade projects and refinancing. Projects underway include runway upgrades, terminal developments, a new carpark and new airport fire station.
Inbounders, RTOs catch up
Over 160 inbound tour agents had the opportunity to brush up on their New Zealand product knowledge during the annual RTNZ (Regional Tourism) inbound trade event held on 18 and 19 March in Auckland at the Crowne Plaza.
New hotel for Rotorua
A new five-star hotel is planned for Rotorua’s lakefront. It will feature a pool, rooftop bar and 197 guest rooms.
Accelerating women’s careers in tourism
The Women in Tourism Career Accelerator, launched in a collaboration between Grow Tourism and Powrsuit and championed by Tourism Industry Aotearoa (TIA), is equipping women in tourism with skills, connections and strategies to develop in their careers and unlock tourism’s full potential.
Efforts to boost Northland winter
Millennium Hotels & Resorts has launched targeted marketing campaigns showcasing Northland’s landscapes, history and activities to audiences across New Zealand and key international markets, including Australia.
Huka Lodge reopens
Huka Lodge in Taupō has reopened on the banks of the Waikato River following a $25 million refurbishment led by owners Baillie Lodges.
Collette plans increased presence in NZ market
Luxury and small group touring company Collette is undergoing a soft launch in the New Zealand market and planning a more official presence later this year.
ROKI Collection to open in ZQN
ROKI Collection Queenstown will open mid-2025 and is designed as an urban retreat on the shores of Lake Wakatipu.
Skål CHC celebrates
Skål Christchurch kicked off 2025 with its annual New Year celebration at the Commodore Hotel, thanks to Patterson Hospitality.
New rep for Glenorchy lodge
Headwaters Eco Lodge near Queenstown has appointed Louise Frend of Unique Stays & Experiences to represent the lodge domestically and internationally in the USA, Canada, UK, Europe and Australian markets.
WOW 2025 VIP packages
Tickets are now on sale for the 2025 WOW VIP Train Experience departing from either Christchurch or Auckland.
Full recovery possible by 2027
The Tourism Export Council of New Zealand (TECNZ) forecasts that by year end March 2025 (the end of 24-25 season) the country should see around 88% of pre-covid annual arrivals (2019).
Full recovery possible by 2027
The Tourism Export Council of New Zealand (TECNZ) forecasts that by year end March 2025 (the end of 24-25 season) the country should see around 88% of pre-covid annual arrivals (2019).
Long booking lead times for NZ hotels show higher confidence
A new report from hotel distribution and revenue platform SiteMinder, highlights the growing confidence in travel, with New Zealand’s hotel sector reporting the longest booking lead time in the Asia-Pacific region at 43.07 days. This booking window is just 4.93 days shorter than the global leader, Ireland, and exceeds the global average by over 11 days.
Marsden adds North Shore property
Marsden Hotel Group has opened Marsden Suites Albany, located at 40 Rosedale Road, Rosedale.
Rotorua signings boost Capstone portfolio
Capstone Hotel Management has taken over management of two luxury boutique properties in Rotorua: The Black Swan Lakeside Boutique Hotel and Hana Lodge.
Talking-up Taupō to trade
Central North Island company Helisika is launching a new brand – Escape Aviation – focusing on high end and luxury product.
Hotels offer 24-hour stays
Hotel Grand Chancellor has launched a 24-Hour Stays offer. This lets guests enjoy a full 24 hours from their time of arrival, removing any stress of early morning check-outs and rigid schedules.
Tatum Park redeveloped
The historic Tatum Park estate in Horowhenua has undergone a major redevelopment by the Wayne Bishop Group.
More...
Visa delays pressure tourism
Hospitality New Zealand says Immigration New Zealand’s acknowledgement last week that changes are required to improve visa processing delays is well overdue.
Regos open for inbound event
The Tourism Export Council of New Zealand (TECNZ) has opened registrations for New Zealand sellers (accommodation, product and experience suppliers and tourism service providers) and New Zealand buyers (inbound tour operators, DMCs) and their teams to participate in a comprehensive industry event on 9-10 April 2025 at Viaduct Events Centre in Auckland.
Northern Explorer adds premium dining
Great Journeys New Zealand has added its premium dining experience to the Northern Explorer scenic train journey between Auckland and Wellington.
Heritage partners with TFE
TFE Hotels has partnered with New Zealand accommodation provider Heritage Hotels in a multi-property management agreement that will see five hotels refurbished in the next few years.
